Which dogs are the rascals of the world? Terrier dogs are. The word "terrier" itself comes from the Latin word terra which means earth. This is a great fit for them because of their love of digging when they are hunting such prey as foxes, moles, badgers, and rats. Sometimes they are called rat dogs.

The Terrier dogs are found in a wide range of sizes and shapes. Regardless of their size or shape they are all feisty and have a mischievous personality as well as being very energetic by nature. All Terriers are highly intelligent and trainable. You will need a great deal of patience as well as a great sense of humor as they are very unpredictable in their activities.

Being a very energetic type of dog it can be hard to keep up, let alone ahead, of them.

In keeping with their name, Terriers are very territorial. These dogs tend to claim an area as their own and will protect it with furious barking at people and animals who approach their property. They are also very good at finding ways to escape from their yards and require good fencing that is high enough so they won't jump over, and far enough underground so they won't dig under it.

Most Terriers have hard, wiry coats. Because of this type of coat it is necessary to pluck and strip their coats of dead hair. Regularly clipping the coat with good clippers will help to soften and lighten the coat.

It is also important to note that not all Terriers are recognized consistently by the Kennel Clubs. Many Terriers that are found in one Kennel Club will often not be included in another Kennel Club.

The dog breeds listed below comprise the most common terrier dogs recognized by the various kennel clubs.